Pompey's politics and the presentation of his theatre-temple complex, 61-52 bce

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STUDIA HUMANIORA TARTUENSIA vol. 7.A.4 (2006) 

ISSN 1406-6203 · http://www.ut.ee/klassik/sht/ 

P

OMPEY

’

S POLITICS AND THE PRESENTATION OF HIS THEATRE

-

TEMPLE COMPLEX

, 

61–52

 

BCE 

 

 

Mark A. Temelini 

 

 

Abstract 

 

After celebrating his third triumph Pompey the Great decided to build a splendid theatre-temple com-

plex during the political and social anxieties of the 50s BCE. This monument was an architectural under-

taking hitherto never attempted at Rome. The building was designed with Rome’s first permanent stone 

theatre, a temple of Venus Victrix and a quadriporticus. He also added a senate building in an attempt to 

soften senatorial antagonism. The importance of religion in the political life of Pompey demonstrates 

how the structure was a victory monument honouring his military achievements and represented his 

desire for popularity and everlasting fame. The purpose of this study is to examine the political and 

religious circumstances and considerations influencing Pompey’s decision to present this structure to the 

Roman people. 

 

 

In 61 BCE

1

 Pompey celebrated one of the most extravagant triumphs Rome had ever 

witnessed. This third triumph mainly honoured his victorious achievements in Asia 

Minor,

2

 but also reminded the Roman spectators of his previous military campaigns 

in North Africa, Spain, and against the pirates in the Mediterranean Sea.

3

 On  the 

social level the triumph and the games associated with it comprised a public event 

which catered to the people’s desire for entertainment. Politically, the lavish spectacle 

increased Pompey’s popularity by symbolizing the power and wealth which he had 

gained for himself and Rome. This supreme greatness and dignity was displayed in 

an impressive exhibition of propaganda.

4

 Days after the event the Roman people did 

                                            

1

 All dates BCE unless otherwise noted. 

2

 For a commentary on Pompey’s Eastern triumph, see: Diod. Sic. 40.4; Val. Max. 8.15.8; Plin. HN 

7.26.97–99, 37.5.11–7.18, 41; App. Mith. 116–117. The Fasti Capitolini (Degrassi 1954: 108), record the 

events of the triumph on September 29, 61 in this way: [Cn. Pompeius Cn. f. Sex. n. Magnus III] pro co(n)s(ule) 

a. DCXCII  [ex Asia, Ponto, Armenia, Paphla]gonia, Cappadoc(ia),  [Cilicia, Syria, Scytheis, Iudaeis, Alb]ania, 

pirateis, [per biduum pridie k. O]cto(bres). 

3

 „But what enhanced his glory the most and had never yet happened to any of the Romans,” wrote 

Plutarch (Pomp. 45.5), „was that he celebrated his third triumph over the third continent. Even though 

there were others before him who had celebrated three triumphs; this man celebrated his first over Libya, 

his second over Europe, and his last one over Asia and he seemed in some way to have conquered the 

whole world with his three triumphs.” In the same glorious tone Velleius Paterculus (2.40.4) wrote: „as 

many divisions there are of the world, he erected just as many monuments of his victory.” All 

translations of the ancient texts are my own. 

4

 As the triumphal procession wound its way through the Campus Martius toward the Capitoline a 

praefatio led the parade with the following introduction (Plin. HN 7.26.98): Cum oram maritimam 

praedonibus liberasset et imperium maris populo Romano restituisset ex Asia, Ponto, Armenia, Paphlagonia, 

Cappadocia, Cilicia, Syria, Schythis, Iudaeis, Albanis, Hiberia, Insula Creta, Basternis, et super haec de rege Mithri-

date atque Tigrane triumphavit. Inscribed placards and banners were carried next, listing all the captured 

nations, strongholds, cities, and ships, along with the numerous cities that were founded. Other inscrip-

tions and heralds announced the millions of sesterces added to the public treasury, and the amount of 

money his soldiers were entitled to receive. Hundreds of captives marched alongside the wagonloads of 

rich plunder. Pirates, royal families, Scythian women, and hostages were led in defeat. Many lavish 

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2

not easily forget the powerful image Pompey staged for himself. They regarded him 

as a world conqueror and formidable leader.

5 

 

 

In spite of all this triumph Pompey also returned to Rome under unfavourable 

conditions. The majority of the senate did not respect the great general. He came from 

a recent noble family of late distinction, he did not rise through the ranks of the cursus 

honorum in the venerable Roman tradition, and he was not familiar with the protocol 

of the Roman senate.

6

 Cicero provides harsh judgements about Pompey (Att. 1.13.4, 

1.18.6) and comments on his general unpopularity in the senate (Att. 1.14). Many 

senators thought that he was unworthy of his powerful position and by unanimously 

denying him several contracts and official positions indicated that they did not want 

Pompey involved in Rome’s affairs.

7

 Pompey was politically humiliated by the very 

republican establishment he faithfully served and protected during his military cam-

paigns. 

 

All the senatorial antagonism directed toward Pompey essentially forced him 

into the secret coalition with Caesar and Crassus in the summer of 60 (Cass. Dio 

37.57.1–58.4). Pompey probably gained more confidence as events turned slowly to-

wards his favour with the help of his triumviral colleagues. 

 

In  59,  Caesar  used  his  consular  powers  to  persuade  the  Tribal  Assembly  to 

ratify Pompey’s bills regarding his concessions in the east and land distribution to his 

veterans. Pompey successfully appealed to the senate to grant Caesar a five-year 

military command in Gaul, and in return Caesar had appointed Pompey as a land 

                                                                                                                             

trophies were carried in triumph to represent every military victory, no matter how small the battle. 

Precious gems and minerals, pearl crowns, gold vessels, innumerable statues, and myrrh-coloured pot-

tery (which Romans had never seen before) were displayed in triumphant glory. One huge and lavish 

tropaeum was even decorated in such a way as to present an image of the inhabited world. In addition, an 

extravagant portrait rendered in pearls of Pompey himself was displayed for the public. Behind all this 

wealth and victory came Pompey the Great wearing a golden wreath and full dress of a triumphator 

riding in a four horse chariot. We can imagine the awestruck crowds applauding in disbelief such a 

triumphal procession. On the social level the triumph and the ludi associated with it comprised a public 

event which catered to the people’s desire for entertainment. The Romans loved a good show. This was 

probably the greatest show since Scipio celebrated a magnificent triumph over the destruction of 

Carthage. Pliny (HN 37.6.14) criticized it as „austerity defeated and more truthfully extravagance [cele-

brated] in triumph.” Cassius Dio (37.21) called the triumph „τὰ  µείζω  ἐπινίκια.” In the words of 

Paterculus (2.40.2) „[Pompey] surpassed the fortune of his fellow man.” 

5

 Manilius  (Astron. 1.793) offered these words of grateful homage: „Pompeius orbis domitor per tresque 

triumphos ante deum princeps.” 

6

 Varro had to write a manual on senatorial procedure for Pompey (Aul. Gell. NA 14.17.2). 

7

 In January 62, the Senate refused the proposal that Pompey should deal with the threat of Catiline’s 

army (Cic. Sull. 31, Ad Brut. 1.17.1; Sall. Cat. 17.43; Suet. Iul. 16; Plut. Cic. 23, Cat. Min. 26; Cass. Dio 37.43.1) 

and refused to grant him a prestigious public works project (Cic. Fam. 5.7); there was senatorial opposi-

tion regarding the honour of triumphal garments and a supplicatio awarded to Pompey (Cic. Prov. cons. 

11.26–27; Vell. Pat. 2.40.5; Cass. Dio 37.21.4.); Q. Caecilius Metellus Creticus was awarded a triumph by 

the Senate in 62 for a campaign against the pirates. This credit belonged to Pompey (Vell. Pat. 2.34.2, 

2.40.5; Cass. Dio 36.17a.); Pompey’s request for a deferment of the consular elections, held in July 62, was 

refused by the Senate, under the instigation of Cato. This request would have allowed Pompey to sup-

port, in person, the candidature of Piso (Plut. Cat. Min. 30.1–2). Pompey found it difficult to impress the 

Senate during his disapproval of Clodius’ prosecution. Senators distrusted him so much that he with-

drew in humiliation and appealed to Cicero’s oratorical abilities in order to gain favourable attention 

(Cic. Att. 1.18); in 60, the senate defeated the ratification of Pompey’s concessions in the East (App. B. Civ. 

2.9), and a bill concerning the distribution of land to veterans who served in the Eastern campaigns (Cic. 

Att. 1.18.6, 1.19.4; Plut. Cat. Min. 30.2–3; Cass. Dio 37.49.2, 37.50.1–4.). 

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